Mechanical, thermal, chemical, and physical properties of sponge gourd outer skin fiber-reinforced vinyl ester composites

The thermal, physical, and mechanical properties of ecologically sustainable composite materials made of sponge gourd outer skin fiber and vinyl ester matrix are examined in this study. Vinyl ester was compression molded using sponge gourd outer skin fiber, a novel reinforcing material. Sponge gourd outer skin fiber was prepared using chemical, sun-drying, and furnace-drying methods. At different fiber loadings (0, 10, 15, 20, and 30 wt.%), the study examined mechanical (tensile, flexural, impact, hardness), physical (water absorption, biodegradability), thermal, chemical, and matrix-fiber bonding properties. The composite material with 30% fiber loading has better mechanical characteristics over 0 wt.% such as 2.1 times in tensile strength, 2.2 times in flexural strength, and 4.5 times in impact strength as compared to the pure vinyl ester material, greatest average hardness value of 96 on the Shore A scale. FTIR and TGA were used to study chemical distribution and thermal stability. The study found that 30% fiber loading improved tensile, flexural, impact, and hardness. The material's biodegradability studies showed its environmental friendliness. The results support sustainable composites in aircraft, automotive, and construction. As a link between surface shape and stress-strain distribution, the fiber-matrix interface affects material characteristics. By reducing dependency on non-renewable resources, natural fibers in composite materials increase performance and environmental sustainability.